James M. Hoffman

James M. Hoffmann, Pop, Pop-Pop, and Granddad of Greenville, DE and Estero, FL, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2017.

Jim was born in 1917 and raised in Chicago, IL and attended the University of Illinois, graduating in June 1939 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. While at the University he joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He then worked for a short time at Victor Manufacturing and Gasket Co. before being employed by DuPont in their Engineering Department in November of that year.

In October 1940 he was transferred to Charlestown, IN to work on the governments smokeless powder plant, followed a year later with a transfer to Choteau, OK to that smokeless powder facility. In July 1942 he was called to active duty and served in the South Pacific until November 1945. While on active duty, he served with the 115^th Combat Engineer battalion, 40^th Infantry Division, and was discharged as a Captain.

Upon returning to Wilmington and the DuPont Company, he was employed in their Engineering Department, Design Division. He worked on various product lines, spending much of his time working on DuPont’s portion of the Atomic Energy Program. At the time of his retirement in December 1980 he had been working on various textile fibers projects.

At the time of retirement, he was a Professional Engineer and belonged to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Wilmington, DE. He enjoyed spending his winters in Florida and many trips with the Holiday Ramblers Club. He was a loving father and grandfather, always taking everyone on great family vacations.

Jim was able to celebrate his 100^th birthday in October surrounded by family and friends. Even at the age of 100, Jim was still the family’s go-to person for anything and everything. You could find him reading on his iPad, working on his computer or facetiming a family member.

He is survived by his wife Rosalind J.; three sons, David A. (Olivia) of Texas, James M. (Patricia Cole) of Vermont and John R. (Debbie) of Hockessin; three granddaughters, Kathleen (James) and Krista (Gavin) of Pike Creek, Brett Ashley (Jason) of Texas; and three great-children whom he adored, Nic, Justin, and Madeline.